Laternenfest – 11NOV17

On Saturday, November 11, 2017, the GSEB held its annual “Laternenfest.”

The celebration is observed in many regions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland to honor St. Martin, a kindly Roman soldier, who, as legend has it, cut his cloak in two with a military sword and gave half of it to a scantily clad beggar lying in the snow.

Swinging home-made lanterns and singing traditional songs, GSEB students, parents and staff paraded through the grounds of the Excelsior German Center in Oakland, and at the end of the procession, delicious “Weckmaenner” were enjoyed.